reinstalling my complete collection of sims 3. in what order do i install them.

[safariforme]

i havent played with my game in several years and would like to know the order in which i should install each expansion and stuff pack please. 

[puzzlezaddict · Accepted solution]

@safariforme  For EA App or Steam installs, the order in which you install your packs doesn't matter at all.  In theory, if you're installing via disc, you should install in release order.  In practice, you can stop worrying about that after Generations, although I would install your newest pack (by release date) last.  You can find the release dates here:

https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/expansionpacks.php

The reason this matters only up to a point is that the early packs had their own patches, but later EP- or SP-related patch data was incorporated into the base game.  So what you would do here is install the base game, run the Super Patch to manually patch to 1.67, install your oldest pack, launch the game to get the launcher to install the pack's patch, install your next-oldest pack, etc.  After installing Generations, you can just go in any order, again other than installing your newest pack last.

Here's a direct download link for the Super Patch.  Some browsers flag it as insecure, but you can see from the URL that it points to EA servers.

http://akamai.cdn.ea.com/eadownloads/u/f/sims/sims3/patches/TS3_1.67.2.0240xx_update.exe

I would run the Super Patch again after installing your last expansion or stuff pack.  It's probably not necessary, but it's also best to be thorough.

[puzzlezaddict · Accepted solution]

@safariforme  For EA App or Steam installs, the order in which you install your packs doesn't matter at all.  In theory, if you're installing via disc, you should install in release order.  In practice, you can stop worrying about that after Generations, although I would install your newest pack (by release date) last.  You can find the release dates here:

https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/expansionpacks.php

The reason this matters only up to a point is that the early packs had their own patches, but later EP- or SP-related patch data was incorporated into the base game.  So what you would do here is install the base game, run the Super Patch to manually patch to 1.67, install your oldest pack, launch the game to get the launcher to install the pack's patch, install your next-oldest pack, etc.  After installing Generations, you can just go in any order, again other than installing your newest pack last.

Here's a direct download link for the Super Patch.  Some browsers flag it as insecure, but you can see from the URL that it points to EA servers.

http://akamai.cdn.ea.com/eadownloads/u/f/sims/sims3/patches/TS3_1.67.2.0240xx_update.exe

I would run the Super Patch again after installing your last expansion or stuff pack.  It's probably not necessary, but it's also best to be thorough.

[safariforme]

ty so much for all this info. i tried to click on the link for superpatch but it doesnt take me anywhere. i made a list of packs in order and can now start installing. i am super excited. ty ty ty . 

[puzzlezaddict]

@safariforme  The download link works for me, although I do have to click to allow the download.  (I used Firefox; Chrome seems to simply reject the link.)  I could post some third-party links, but those that don't point right back to the same original EA link are separate uploads not from EA, and while they'd probably work, I'd rather send people to the source.

It's important to use the Super Patch because the launcher doesn't do a thorough job of patching on its own.

[safariforme]

when i installed the base game, i did have a patch and installed it. would that be the super patch. if i dont install super patch, will my game still work. 

[puzzlezaddict]

@safariforme  The launcher tries to patch the game but usually doesn't do a thorough job of it, which is why EA created the Super Patch.  I'm not telling you that you will definitely have problems if you don't use the Super Patch, only that it's at least reasonably likely.  And whatever patch you ran, it's not the Super Patch unless you downloaded it and ran it separately, i.e. not using the launcher.

[safariforme]

ok thank you so much for all this info. it really helps alot. will look for super patch on my ea account. might find it there. ty ty ty

[puzzlezaddict]

@safariforme  The Super Patch is a separate download and not available through your EA account.  I linked the download in post 2.